Shrewsbury forward Lenell John-Lewis faces 12 months out of football with the ACL injury he sustained against Stoke.

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Lenell John-Lewis stretchered off against Stoke (AMA)

Boss Sam Ricketts initially feared the knee injury could force the striker out for between six and eight months but a consultant has revealed the injury is much worse than first feared.

John-Lewis picked up the injury 13 minutes into last weekend's FA Cup third round tie against the Potters under no contact from an opposition player.

The injury is to his left knee, not a recurrence of the damage suffered to his right knee with former club Newport County, where he also missed around 10 months with ACL damage.

John-Lewis, 29, will undergo surgery on his injury next week.

The frontman sees his contract at Montgomery Waters Meadow finish in the summer.

Ricketts has said the injury will make him reassess his position in looking to sign a centre-forward in the January window. Winger Shaun Whalley (hamstring) is not ready for the bench against Charlton tomorrow.